COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford's admitted extramarital affair with a woman in Argentina could cost him his job. It could cost him his marriage.
And, under an antiquated state law, it could also cost him up to $500 and a year in jail.
A state law that dates to at least 1880 says adultery is a crime, no matter where it occurred, and that adulterers "shall be severally punished."
But constitutional attorney John Harrell of Charleston says the law hasn't been used in decades, possibly not since 1907.
A spokeswoman for the State Law Enforcement Division says the agency can't waste limited money on trying to prosecute or arrest Sanford on such a charge. Jennifer Timmons notes there are murderers and other violent offenders to pursue.
Visit the special section regarding the Sanford Scandal by visiting http://www.news2charleston.com/sections/sanfordScandal/index.html.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement